Owner drivers and the operators of small trucking fleets will go to the polls in early 2017 to elect two representatives on the General Council of the Australian Trucking Association.

Voter registrations will open on 18 January 2017 and candidate nominations will open on 25 January 2017. Nominations and voter registrations will both close on 22 February 2017.

“The ATA Council debates and sets our strategic policy direction, dealing with issues that impact our industry’s safety, professionalism and viability,” ATA Chair Noelene Watson said.

“This election gives owner drivers and small fleet operators the opportunity to have a direct say in who will represent them and their issues on the ATA Council.”

To register to vote in the election, you must own, be purchasing or leasing 1-5 trucks over 4.5 tonnes. You will also need to provide a valid ABN and an email address that is unique to you.

To nominate for one the positions, you must be registered to vote in the ATA election and be a member of an ATA member organisation. To nominate for the owner driver position, you must own, be purchasing or leasing one truck over 4.5 tonnes and drive it. To nominate for the small fleet position, you must own, be purchasing or leasing 2 to 5 trucks over 4.5 tonnes.

Mrs Watson said the 2017 election will be the first ATA election to be conducted entirely online.

“This election will be more accessible than ever for owner drivers and small fleet operators, as the days of waiting for ballot papers to arrive in the mail have now made way for online, secure ballots,” she said.

“We made this change after a review of our election rules, chaired by past ATA Chair Kathy Williams.”

The secure online election system will email unique links to voters so they can vote on online ballot papers. The system has been used to conduct more than 38,000 elections, including for some NSW Government applications and the Property Council of Australia.

The ATA has appointed distinguished former public servant Phil Potterton as the Independent Returning Officer to conduct the election.

More information about the 2017 ATA election

Media contact:  Donna Jeremiah 0417 211 441 or Anne Nguyen 0487 904 111